What is a Flatercraft?

Channel Ribs · 23 January 2009, 15:56

Thats it really...

Any ideas?

martini · 23 January 2009, 16:12

If you spell it "Flatacraft" then stick it in google, you'll probably find out everything you need to know!

Channel Ribs · 23 January 2009, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

If you spell it "Flatacraft" then stick it in google, you'll probably find out everything you need to know!

But Google usually tells me when I cant spell!

Are they any good?

martini · 23 January 2009, 16:26

The company was founded by Tony Lee Elliot in the early 70's, considered by some as a bit of a pioneer during the development of RIBs in that era.

I believe he retired a few years ago and I think the company was wound down, perhaps a lack of interest from anyone in taking over the company. More recently the name has been ressurrected so you would have to be careful in making any comparisons between the old and new Flatacrafts.

Rogue Wave · 23 January 2009, 16:33

if it's an old one then it was certainly well made. Nasher I believe gets a stiffy talking about them.

From my point of view they have all the things I'm looking for in a sturdy rib. Strong hul Tough toobs and belt and braces fastening of the tough toobs to the Strong hull.

What size are you interested in

Alan Priddy · 23 January 2009, 16:49

Anyone that knows about these is REALLY OLD and been around a lot.

Many years ago, one took part in the Round Britain Race, Was it "Thirst Aid"? Jim Davidson took one (sort of) around Scotland on the first Round Scotland in 1990 A tough boat but the biggest complaint was that you pissed blood after using them!
Got a smashing picture somewhere of Tony Lee-Elliots "Shed" on its side off Chichester Bar back in 1992.I will try and find it.
Alan P

JSP · 23 January 2009, 16:52

Asked the same question last year, http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26486
Nasher is your man though

Mollers · 23 January 2009, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

Thats it really...

Any ideas?

It's Bristolian for 'Rib'.

Nasher · 23 January 2009, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Nasher I believe gets a stiffy talking about them.

Mmmm................

Nasher.

bogib · 23 January 2009, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Mmmm................

Nasher.

That was short and sniffy....

expected whole chapter

Bogi

doggypaddle · 23 January 2009, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogib

That was short and sniffy....

expected whole chapter

Bogi

perhaps he's gone to change his undergarments

Dirk Diggler · 23 January 2009, 19:44

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17670

Nasher · 23 January 2009, 23:43

The 'new' Flatacraft company didn't appear to last very long.
They built 1 or maybe 2 nice 4m Boats that were aimed squarely at the luxury tender market, and came complete with fake teak decks etc.
As mentioned elsewhere they even had a stand at Southampton a couple of years ago.

I spent a while chatting to them about the future, and discovered they had plans to build a 6.5M RIB based on Tonys old race hull design, and might have been persuaded to resurect the original Force4 if there was enough interest.

We came to an agreement over the .co.uk and .com domain names, which they didn't fully re-register in their name, but did change the access passwords with the host. A few months later I started getting mail about not having carried out the transfer properly etc and I had to explain several times that they had the passwords and needed to change the info themselves.
Then the whole thing went quiet, and I don't think anyone has seen or heard of Flatacraft since, which is a great shame.

Oh, by the way, I gave up wearing undergarments years ago

Nasher.

Nos4r2 · 24 January 2009, 00:44

They seem to be doing something still...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RIB-FLATACRAFT...QQcmdZViewItem

Channel Ribs · 24 January 2009, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Oh, by the way, I gave up wearing undergarments years ago

T.M.I.!

So the question is now... Is this one of them?

John Kennett · 24 January 2009, 08:56

Certainly looks like one at first glance. Possibly a Force 5.

dougcrock · 24 January 2009, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Priddy

Anyone that knows about these is REALLY OLD and been around a lot.

i represent that allan i had had a flatacraft force 6 Hagar The HoRibible from 1989 to 1995 built to last very strong with a very dry ride covered many many miles round scotland 3 times, round greek isles, ireland and isle of man Tony Lee Elliot was the company owner and entered ribs in the round scotland I think MIAMI VICE won in 1992

JSP · 24 January 2009, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

T.M.I.!

So the question is now... Is this one of them?

Nasher going commando is something I didn't wanna think about first thing in the morning!

Looks like the same bloodline

Pete7 · 24 January 2009, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougcrock

I think MIAMI VICE won in 1992

Driven by Mark Bleaker, who now sells / repairs outboards from Ocean Quay in Southampton I think.

Martin, they were expensive ribs and well built, well apart from the Shed that Alan refers too, 9m with a BMW diesel engine and a square cabin plonked on top with standing headroom. Had a reputation of being towed home everytime it went to sea.

Alan, you're too old

Pete

Alan Priddy · 24 January 2009, 16:37

i had had a flatacraft force 6 Hagar The HoRibible from 1989 to 1995 built to last very strong with a very dry ride covered many many miles round scotland

I rest my case, if I am old then Dougy must be very old. Is this "Hagar" that cut both of the lower units off on rocks just outside the habour were you kept her? Local knowledge and all that. Oh Happy days many years ago.
Hows the sale of Mossie repelent going????
Alan P